WOC and Allies: Business and Career Realtalk

I can’t believe I’m celebrating 7 years in business this Sunday, July 14!

Trust me when I say I made all the mistakes and failures.

There have been nights when my anxiety was high (also have you watched Inside Out 2 yet?!, crying on the floor like a starfish, debt, and dealing with difficult situations where I had to involve my lawyer.

My hope for my 92nd episode is to unveil my 7 lessons in the past 7 ye...

Summer is in full swing! Which means…

• Heat waves here in Los Angeles
• Already having my 1st week of vacation! I just got back from a California Road trip
• And still having to work cause we got bills to pay!

So the question everyone has with a summer of wanting to play and rest -- how do we balance having a fun summer, while also working?

Maybe you’re…

• Working full time and realize you are unhappy with how things are ...

About 7 years ago (2017), I graduated from my Masters in Leadership and Management cause I was getting ready to be an Executive Director for a nonprofit.

The day I graduated for some reason I wasn’t happy or excited. It finally dawned on me,

I’ve been listening to what everyone else wants, and not what I want. I’ve been people pleasing doing what others want for me, but what do I want?! And I realize, “I want a bu...

Remember when millennials were called, “Lazy and entitled”?

With the new “Quiet Quitting” and “Lazy Girl Job” trends, Gen Z is now getting stereotyped with the new, “Lazy and Entitled” title.

I have clients who are Millennials and Gen Xers who always ask, “How do I work with Gen Z?”

And I also have clients who are Gen Z who ask, “How do I communicate and work with these old paradigms of work?

In ...

Being a leader isn’t just about creating strategic decisions and hitting goals.

It’s also about leading and managing your team, and learning how to manage up.

It’s about the “soft skills” like teamwork, communication and conflict resolution. (On a side note, I hate that it’s called “soft skills” cause it’s these skills that are actually hard).

This past month, I’ve been hearing from all my clients who are...

In 2017, I “failed.”

I got let go from my dream job working as a Fundraiser at Pasadena City College where I raised $1.1 million in student scholarships.

I was lying on my bedroom floor crying like a starfish.

Unfortunately, I didn’t look as cute like Patrick from Spongebob…

Despite getting let go from my dream job, it motivated me to take my part-time coaching business to full-time.

To ...

So get this, I am watching The View on ABC, and I see my ex-boss, Mark Daley, talking about his book, Safe, a book about his experience becoming a foster care parent.

Mark was my first boss right after college. He was a Campaign Manager for a candidate in Iowa. And I got a fellowship from Yale to work on the campaign he was managing as a Field Organizer. Mark was the former Communications Director for Hillary Clinton in he...

I remember I used to have such a huge problem honoring what I needed, but as we get older we relearn to trust ourselves and our voice.

In my latest podcast episode, I talk with Lidia Galvez, about Reiki, Somatic healing and theta healing. Lidia is a former client and friend, and she does reiki and sound bowl sessions at my retreats.

What We Cover in This Episode:

•  A somatic healing exercise you can do on yourse...

Some anxiety is survival, but most of my anxiety isn’t that. I have the most anxiety when I’m living a life that doesn’t align with my goals, hopes, and energy. It isn’t about what I’m doing. It’s about what I’m NOT doing.

“Do you like anxiety? Cause I don’t…”

I shared this with Matt Story, Visa VP when he interviewed me about how I’m always brave enough to ask for help and make tough decisions.

I feel li...

I had my first business from 2012 to 2016 as a Fundraising Consultant. I ended it after 4 years because I was done with the ups and downs of owning a business.

Sure, there was shame, BUT my nervous system was so calm that I manifested my dream job and dream boss, with whom I am still good friends to this day.

Maybe YOU are also thinking of ending your business or doing it on the side, and as someone who ended thei...

What do people say about you when you leave a Zoom call or physical room?

Why should you even care?

First, you shouldn’t care what other people think.

I’m not talking about being liked. I’m talking about your personal brand. And you might be thinking… Elaine, I have (or want) a full-time job. Why do I need a personal brand?

Personal brands aren’t necessarily social media lifestyle shots and brand...

I had just got a Director position at 24. I was doing 2 jobs and increased fundraising numbers by 500%... I knew I deserved a raise.

I asked my immigrant parents, “How do you ask for a raise?”

They responded, “Just work hard. You’ll get a raise.”

I knew that was not how it worked, so I learned to ask for a raise using these 7 steps.

And guess what!? I got my $12k raise!

Even better, thes...

“Elaine, back in the Philippines, as a family of 6, we had to share 1 fish.”

As a first-gen immigrant, my parents always reminded me of the privilege I have to be born and raised in this country.

And I agree, what a privilege it is to type on my laptop right now and email you!

This privilege almost feels like a buffet - OVERWHELMING!

In the past, I’ve ended up doing the most and feeling like aski...

Have you ever not felt safe at work?

Maybe you’ve dealt with microaggressions, gaslighting, and bullying…

And even if you have a senior title, you’ve also questioned yourself if you are even experiencing any of this.

In my recent podcast episode, I am joined by a friend who I was honored to coach, and Starbucks’ new VP Global Chief Inclusion & Diversity Office, Chéla Gage, where we talk about how to c...

As the only daughter (I have 2 brothers), I find myself doing a lot of the caretaking for my parents.

I’m getting ready for my dad’s knee replacement surgery next month where I’ll be with him for the first 10-days of his recovery. And I’m attending all the doctors appointments with them.

I also want to share, I am choosing to do this and understand I have agency.

But what’s frustrating is that THIS is the...

Is it wise to pursue a new career in this challenging economy?

When is the appropriate time?

How can you stay true to your beliefs and values despite the presence of capitalism, colonialism, and patriarchy, which contradict them?

Damn. I know I got DEEP.

Today, I am joined by my client, Dr. Luna Clara Muñoz, a TEDx speaker and career coach for academic misfits.

We delve into the process ...

Two years ago, in episode nine, I shared why I decided to end my mastermind and simplify my business.

This episode was one of my top-rated podcast episodes where  I shared how I was managing:

• 5 different services
• Did 1-2 events per month
• Ultimately burned out

Here we are 2 years later, and I’m bringing back the mastermind (but different AND better).

Last month, all of January, I dedicated time to deleting and...

According to the Federal Reserve, we have hit our highest inflation since 1982. *big collective sigh* That's more than 40 years ago!

Time is wild, and so is this economy, so it was fitting to do a podcast on making money during times like these.

Side note: Anyone still feel like 1999 was just 5 years ago?

Because of inflation, it has affected consumer spending habits to be more conscious spenders.

Are you a parent? If so, you may have heard of the term gentle parenting. It's a different approach from how many of us millennials were raised, including myself.

Instead of shaming, blaming, and punishing. Gentle parenting emphasizes empathy and communication.

However, some parents take it too far and don't set boundaries for their child's behavior. So, how can we balance gentle parenting and setti...